Why the Leafs hiring Shane Doan increases the likelihood of Auston Matthews sticking around long term
The Leafs' latest front office hire has the potential to be a big one for the Leafs. In case you missed it yesterday, the Leafs shave hired former Arizona Coyotes captain and ex-chief hockey development officer Shane Doan as an Assistant to GM Brad Treliving. While the title he holds is identical to the one Jason Spezza held under Kyle Dubas last season, Doan's impact could be far more important to the future of the organization.
As we all know, Shane Doan is among several of Auston Matthews' all-time favourite players, along with Patrick Kane and especially Daniel Briere. Doan and Matthews had gotten to know each other very well with all the time they had spent together in Arizona over the years following an unfortunate injury Matthews had suffered at just 17, breaking his femur following a knee-on-knee collision.
I'm sure most of us know the story, hearing Matthews recount it on several occasions during past interviews, but if you aren't aware, Matthews was worried about his future and Keith Tkachuk reached out to Shane Doan in Arizona and had arranged for Doan to contact Matthews to have a chat with him and give him some words of encouragement during his recovery. Not long after, Doan invited Matthews to skate with him and several NHLers, which Matthews, of course, accepted. Since that time, he and Doan have remained close. Matthews even showed some of that love and support for Doan publicly on social media prior to his jersey retirement ceremony.
Having Doan in the organization now will be a huge boost, I'm sure, in the negotiations to keep Auston in Toronto long term. We know through many of his comments recently that Matthews loves Toronto and would like to remain there, but with the departure of Kyle Dubas and the uncertainty and concern that has created for many players and staff members in Toronto, Matthews is reportedly a lot more hesitant about signing right on July 1st. Well, now with Doan also in Toronto, perhaps Matthews may reconsider his hesitation and sign next month after all.
At this point, Brad Treliving has said and done a lot of the right things. We believe he has already met with Matthews and we know that the two sides spoke even before Treliving's hiring in Toronto was made official, so you know that Treliving is committed to keeping Auston in Toronto for the foreseeable future. The latest addition of Doan is just another factor here.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 9 | 298 ANSWERS Why the Leafs hiring Shane Doan increases the likelihood of Auston Matthews sticking around long term With the Leafs hiring Shane Doan, do you think Matthews signs his extension on July 1st now? | ||
| Yes | 185 | 62.1 % |
| No | 113 | 37.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
